Davos is the most practical big mountain destination from Zurich. At 174 km it is under two hours of motorway and valley road in normal conditions, it is a working town rather than a purpose-built resort, and it stays open all year.
Getting there from ZRH
| Option | Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private transfer | 2 h 05 | CHF 736 E-Class · CHF 823 V-Class | Door to door, price per vehicle, equipment included |
| Train | 2 h 38 | Per person | Two changes, typically at Landquart and Klosters |
| Hire car | ~2 h 05 | Rate + fuel + parking | Winter tyres essential; parking in town is limited |
| Taxi | 2 h 05 | Metered, open-ended | No fixed price on a journey this long |
Full vehicle prices: CHF 736 in an E-Class, CHF 823 in a V-Class, CHF 997 in an S-Class and CHF 1308 in a 14-seat Sprinter. Per vehicle, not per person — four people share one fare. A return booked at the same time takes 10 % off.
The train, in detail
The rail journey is genuinely good: about two hours forty, one of the finest stretches of railway in Europe on the Rhaetian Railway section, and the platform at ZRH is under the terminal. The catch is two changes with everything you are carrying — and in ski season, doing it in boots.
For one or two people with a rucksack, take the train. For a family, a group, or anyone with skis, the car is loaded once at the airport and unloaded once at the hotel, and CHF 736 divided by four is less than four rail tickets.
Davos in winter
Davos and neighbouring Klosters share one lift network across several separate ski areas — Parsenn, Jakobshorn, Pischa, Rinerhorn, Madrisa and Schatzalp — linked by ski bus rather than by lift. That is the defining feature: it is not one mountain but a valley of them, and a week does not exhaust it.
Parsenn is the classic, with long descents to Klosters and Küblis. Jakobshorn is the freestyle and party mountain, directly above the town. Madrisa, above Klosters, is the gentlest and the best for families.
Because the areas are separate, staying in Davos Platz or Davos Dorf matters less than it would elsewhere — the bus network connects them and is included with the guest card issued by most accommodation.
Davos in summer
The same transfer price applies in July, and the roads are faster. Davos sits at 1,560 m, which makes it markedly cooler than the lowlands in a heatwave. The lift network largely stays open for hiking and mountain biking, and the lake at Davos is swimmable. It is also a conference town year-round, which is why hotel availability can be tight in weeks that have nothing to do with skiing.
The World Economic Forum
For one week each January, Davos hosts the World Economic Forum, and the town operates under entirely different rules: road access is controlled, accommodation is booked a year ahead, and transfer demand across the whole eastern Alps peaks. If you are travelling to Davos in that window — whether or not you are attending — book everything as early as possible and expect security checks on the approach roads.
Practical notes
1,560 m in town
Europe’s highest town of its size. Snow is reliable in season and the nights are cold well into spring.
Two ways in
Via Landquart and Klosters, or over the Wolfgang pass. Winter conditions decide which is faster; the driver does not need instructions.
Ask at check-in
Most accommodation issues a card covering local buses and, in summer, the mountain railways. It is worth asking for on arrival.
Changeover day
The busiest road and the busiest transfer day. A Saturday pickup in season should be booked weeks ahead.
Where to go next
Laax →Closer by road and the freestyle capital of the region.
WEF week →What changes in Davos each January, and how to plan around it.
All destinations →Every fixed price from ZRH, with real road distances.
Zurich Airport to Davos — FAQ
How far is Davos from Zurich Airport?
174 km by road, which takes about two hours and five minutes in normal conditions. Winter weather and Saturday changeover traffic can add substantially to that.
How much is a transfer from Zurich Airport to Davos?
CHF 736 in a Mercedes E-Class, CHF 823 in a V-Class for up to seven people, CHF 997 in an S-Class and CHF 1308 in a 14-seat Sprinter. Fixed before you travel and priced per vehicle.
How long does the train from Zurich Airport to Davos take?
About two hours and forty minutes at best, with two changes — typically at Landquart and Klosters. It is a scenic journey, but each change means handling your luggage and equipment again.
Is Davos better than Klosters as a base?
They share the same lift network and the same ski bus, so the skiing is identical either way. Davos is a town with shops, restaurants and year-round life; Klosters is smaller and quieter. Madrisa, above Klosters, is the friendliest area for young families.
Do I need snow chains to reach Davos?
In a hired car, winter tyres are essential and chains are worth carrying for heavy snowfall. In a booked transfer this is not your problem — the vehicle is equipped for the conditions and the price does not change if the route does.
Can I visit Davos in summer?
Yes, and the transfer costs the same while the roads are faster. At 1,560 m it is noticeably cooler than the lowlands, most of the lift network runs for hiking and biking, and the lake is swimmable.
What happens during the World Economic Forum?
For one week in January, road access to Davos is controlled, accommodation is booked a year in advance and transfer demand across the eastern Alps peaks. Plan far ahead and expect security checks on the approach roads.